Why respect is not a luxury, but a fundamental value.

Today, I want to share something with you that unfortunately happens far too often: disrespectful advances. It happened to me this morning when I received a message from a man to whom I recently sold something through Marketplace. His message was anything but professional and showed a glaring lack of respect. It wasn’t just about me, but indirectly also about his presumed partner at home.

Message from the man named Willem:

"Marktplaats is not a dating app, but you're really hot... haha actually, I wanted to ask if I could pay for those clothes in kind 😜

Pöoh 😁😜☺️😚

I'd love to meet up for coffee ☕️"

😵😳 Are you kidding me?

I’m almost 40 and this is still the way… men hunting?!? 🤮

I thought I was well past the teenage/childhood years.

This kind of behavior strikes a sensitive chord with me because it says so much more about how women are treated worldwide. After a difficult breakup and the time I needed to heal, I became very aware of my boundaries. But still, some men seem to completely ignore those boundaries.

I chose to address him directly and report it. Not just for myself, but also for his partner, who may not be aware of his behavior. Because if we remain silent, they’ll continue to think this is acceptable.

My response:

"No thanks. I’m not looking for a teenager with uncontrolled sexual desires. Given your profile, it looks like you have a partner. What would she think of you if she knew you were making inappropriate advances towards other women?

This behavior is unacceptable, and I will report it. Your comments are inappropriate and disrespectful. Clearly, you still have a lot to learn, just like many others of your kind.

Men like you are exactly why I advocate for awareness of the abuse women face.

If you continue to harass me, I won’t stop at a report. If I find your partner, I will inform her of your behavior. It’s embarrassing to have such a man in the house.

Remember: karma always comes back, and it does its work."

What I learned from this experience is simple: we must keep speaking up, keep pointing out what’s not okay, and keep fighting for change. This is not a "joke." This is not a "small incident." This is a pattern that must be broken.

Has the Universe given me another sign that my mission is necessary? Absolutely. 💪

🌟 My message to you: Stay true to your values, don’t be afraid to set boundaries, and let’s work together towards a world where respect is the norm. 🌟

Ladies, remember: your boundaries are sacred, and your dignity is non-negotiable. Let’s stand together for a world where this kind of behavior is no longer accepted. ✨

Do you also have a story about disrespectful advances? Share it with me. Together, we are stronger. ❤️